Man of His Word - Teddy Bacalis

Man of His Word

Legend Nominee: Teddy Bacalis

Twenty-six years ago, Virginia native, Theodore Bacalis, introduced himself to the trucking industry as an over-the-road truck driver, anxious for the opportunity to begin a new career. Known to many as Teddy, in 2006 he made the leap from company driver to owner-operator. With a quiet, reserved personality, his background as a self-starter speaks for itself.

Prior to operating an 18-wheeler and driving cross-country, Teddy had never traveled far from home, other than the occasional trips to Florida visiting family. After four years of apprenticeship training in electrical work, he acquired his electrical contractor license and a master electrician license, then soon after established Bacalis Electric; operating as the business owner and sole electrical contractor for eight years. When the steady stream of business began to slow down, his prompt action for an alternative reveals his timely judgment and bold career move paid off. With a career high of 3-million lifetime miles under his belt, I’d say that Teddy has found his niche.

I inquired as to whom or what he credits his success in which he respectfully deviates the well-deserved attention to his parents, stating:

“Both of my parents have displayed a strong and positive work ethic for many, many years. My father was a school teacher, a guidance counselor and a basketball coach. When my brother and I were younger, my mother stayed home full-time raising us kids and later worked for the school system, too. This was back in the 50’s and 60’s, when all a person had was their reputation. I was taught that when you give your word, you follow through with it. You live by your word… and that’s basically how I do business. When I say I’m going to do something or accept a load, I’m going to deliver on time and to the best of my ability. I am a man of my word.”

As a man who can be trusted and keeps his promises, Teddy has built a solid business on those principles alone.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

After completing trucking school in 1992, he landed a driving position hauling flatbed over-the-road for two weeks at a time. With a family at home, each trip out seemed longer than the last one. Teddy remained with his first trucking company for nine years, in hopes of receiving more home-time but to no avail. He switched to running local (delivering to a chain of discount variety stores) for a company that ultimately closed their doors half a year later. He quickly landed another job driving for a hardware retail distribution center, running three different routes. The new schedule allowed him to return home to his loved ones every other night.

With nearly 15 years of experience behind the wheel professionally, Teddy pushed forward with his next venture. In 2006, he purchased his first truck and sought out companies that outsourced jobs to owner-operators, spending the following three years leased with two separate companies that offered government contract opportunities.

Teddy addresses the obstacles he knew lay waiting and would have to overcome during his transition from company driver to owner operator. He hopes to share his experience and advice to better prepare other drivers who are considering taking the same journey. The key, he explains is the objective in studying the possibilities of your long-term plan as a truck driver. Weighing between the pros and cons of the responsibilities that come with either role will help you assess your personal goals. Becoming a business owner has both its rewards and disadvantages. A couple of benefits are freight consistency (less sitting around waiting on loads) and the freedom of selecting runs; though sound planning and finances are both critical components for a profitable business. By finding the delicate balance that includes all aspects of the position can make it possible to successfully manage the many challenges owner-operators face.

“It’s a huge investment financially and can be very time-consuming. Add up permits, licensing, and insurance with fuel costs and meals. Plus, unexpected breakdowns on top of the already expected maintenance issues. Money management is everything as an owner-operator. And, advanced planning helps tremendously too. Whether it’s trips or maintenance work, if you schedule ahead of time what you do have control over and get a jump on most things, you’re that much further along so when inconveniences do pop up they are less likely to affect you in a negative way.

As for drivers that are just starting out, do your research and find a trucking company that is a good fit for you and your life. Then, as you continue your career driving for them, make sure you are on the same page, that way your needs are met, and you can focus on growing with that company. Meanwhile, you’ll learn more about the business and yourself as a driver. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and I’m still learning stuff. Only when you’re ready to take on the next step should you go out and buy a truck, because it’s a very different world once you become an owner-operator, rather than running as a company driver.”

TRIED-AND-TRUE

When Teddy joined the owner-operator fleet at leading transportation company, Universal, headquartered in Warren, Michigan, he immediately recognized the deciding factor that set the trucking company apart from his previous endeavors. His agent, Jamie Jones and the great working relationship the two have formed has played a major role in the longevity of his time with the company. “I initially started with Jamie’s dad, Lloyd Jones and it was great working with him too! When he retired a couple of years ago, Jamie stepped in and I’ve been pulling for him ever since. Universal is a good company to work for and they have a list of agents that work for them, which is good because you stay busy. Jamie treats me well and gets me good paying loads. I’m the type of person that remains loyal, as long as I’m treated with respect, because that’s how I was brought up and how I treat people. So, I pull for him almost 100% of the time. I hardly go looking somewhere else or call around checking. We keep each other happy; that’s important, too,” he explains.

“What sets Teddy apart as an asset for my terminal is his dedication to the customer. His commitment gives me peace of mind when he is on a load. I know that he will do everything in his power to get it done legally and do the best job for our clients. Teddy has run for me seven years now; I find him to be kind, understanding and good-humored.”

-Jamie Jones

Teddy was named Universal Truckload Van Contractor of the Year for 2017. He will be formally honored during Universal’s annual Agents of Excellence Conference in Naples, Florida May 17-20th. Currently, driving a 2015 Volvo, he continues his third consecutive year hauling automotive parts from Virginia to Indiana and back through North Carolina. Home every weekend and once during the week, his work schedule allows him to be involved at home and still travel for a living.

Teddy and his longtime girlfriend of 14 years, Judy, share a growing family of four kids and two grandchildren. His son, TJ, and TJ’s wife, Tayler, are parents to Alijah with their second child on the way. Teddy’s other granddaughter, Sophia, is the child of his son, Mason and Mason’s girlfriend, Kayla. He has two step-children Byron and Mary; she and her husband, Shane, have one daughter, Jordan.

According to Teddy, his toughest battle was the extended time away from his family, but the peaceful ambiance of driving a semi-truck always found a way to remind him that trucking was his calling. He says, “To succeed as a professional trucker driver, you must be comfortable with being alone. You have to be able to handle the responsibility of working independently.” For Teddy, on his long adventures he enjoys listening to audio books to pass the time. “Anything with suspense or mystery helps me disconnect just enough to make an entire ride fly by. Before you know it, you’ve been listening for five or six hours.” It goes back to the wise words passed down from his driver trainer at the start of his own career. Adding, “He told me, ‘Wherever you are going, they will be happy when you get there. Don’t end up hurting anyone or yourself trying to rush. Plan ahead, drive safely and arrive early. Either way, they will be glad to receive their load when you arrive. Nothing is more important than your life and those around you.’ It was simple things along those lines that stuck with me over the years. It has kept me safe and hopefully will help anyone reading this. Yes, our mission is to provide our services, but safety is our priority.”

Reflecting on his earlier days, Teddy said the constant change in scenery and the variety of such views from across the nation - all seen from the seat of his truck - are why he never settled for an office job. Adventurous at heart, referring to himself as a paid tourist, he doesn’t consider his job “work” but more as a selfless service dedicated to providing for the people. His definition of a professional truck driver is someone who understands the business and the sacrifices asked of him, and is still willing to get the job done.

A truck driver’s lifestyle is all about compromise. Aside from the pressures of providing financial stability for their household, many drivers must sacrifice home-time to achieve such purpose. Not only is long-term distance difficult for the driver, but it’s tough on any spouses or family left at home. If properly vetted, all parties involved can avoid tension and instead use the challenges to strengthen relationships. Teddy explains that over time, technology has made being away less difficult. He continues,

“I enjoy driving, I’m good at what I do. But being away and gone all the time was tough. When I first started driving a truck I didn’t have a phone, so we didn’t talk much. Now, with the convenience of cell phones, it adds to the ways people can communicate. I can call whomever, wherever… whenever. It makes you feel more connected, even though you’re still not home. Every little bit counts.”

With no urgency to retire, his days at home are spent catching up on quality time with his grandchildren. Once an avid bowler as a member of a league, an occasional visit to the local bowling alley serves as a nice break from business to let loose and have fun. Judy has joined him on the road a few times; riding alongside Teddy within this profession helps in understanding his world away from home. Teddy is admired by many and highly regarded professionally. He is the model of character our industry and Universal seeks to recognize.